TS’ wait for Pharma Council still continues

Hyderabad: A special pharmacy council for Telangana is yet to be formed even two-and-a- half years after the State formation. The council overseeing the activities in two Telugu States was shifted three months ago to Vijayawada.

Although officials stated that it would be renewed in Hyderabad this week, activities of the council have been stopped, forcing about 45,000 pharmacists of Telangana to go to Vijayawada for their renewals. These pharmacists have to face many hardships.

The Telangana council is yet to take a firm shape despite steps being initiated six months back. After the council, comprising a registrar, six elected members, five nominated members, three ex-officio members is constituted, rules have to be framed.

For this, an amendment has to be made in the State Assembly. This process is likely to take about six months.

After the shifting of the council to Vijayawada, registrations and renewals of pharmacists were being done for three days in a week (Thursday to Saturday) at the old Pharmacy Council Hall at Nampally.

This was stopped on February 16 in the name of causing inconvenience to the employees. With the council being locked, a pharmacist from Warangal, Kavitha, while speaking to The Hans India wondered what would be her fate.

Pharmacists of Telangana, who are estimated to be about 900, are grumbling about the shifting of the council to Vijayawada, making it accessible to the residents of Andhra Pradesh.

Each B pharmacy and doctor of pharmacy-holder pays Rs.560 and each pharmacy diploma-holder pays Rs.510. Students of Telangana while pressing for the immediate launch of the council complain that already crores of rupees have been deposited into the account of AP Council.

They told THI that formation of separate council would not only benefit local candidates, but also bring revenue to the State.

Even after the tribunal for the Telangana pharmacy council has been set up some months back, it is yet to be convened. It is yet to have an office.

The tribunal has to be convened frequently to look into the matters like division of the staff, examining records, bank accounts, setting up new office, options of the staff and their accounts. It also has to secure details of the Telangana students.

An officer, Shankar, told THI that there is an immediate need to constitute the Telangana Pharmacy Council to benefit about 45,000 pharmacists of the State.

The process of constituting the tribunal should be completed at least now so as to avoid travel to Vijayawada by the State pharmacists.

Failing this, the process of renewals should be taken up in Hyderabad for the benefit of local candidates, demands Telangana pharmacists.